2023-24 saw me take in 77 games in total from the National League down to Step 6, ironically that was almost the way it started to the way it finished. 86 different teams were seen in action across the year and provided me with the odd 0-0 draw which really doesn’t faze me.
Some 262 goals hit the back of the net across the way, well up on last year’s total of 181 and over the course of the next two weeks before pre-season begins I will pick out a three part series of 5.
5 best players I watched in action, 5 best goals I saw and the 5 games I’ve picked up for very different reasons. Of course, I could easily have picked out a lot more within those three categories too but let’s not be here all day on the memories! Anyway, here is the first one up behind the paywall, with as many links as I can find in some respects for you to recall or see for the first time.
The content below was originally paywalled.
This piece is the 5 games I’ve picked from the 77. Obviously, some were more memorable than others and again there are various reasons why as you will see along with the other two articles to follow on.
There is no order in terms of one better than the other, just the order in which I watched them.
Steyning Town 1-4 Maidstone Utd (FA Cup)
The magic lives on for non-league clubs in this competition and this game was no different. Step 5 vs Step 2, only in this country do we get the beauty of sides trying to cause an upset from so far down the levels in the game.
This was a local one for me only 40 minutes away, I spoke to the Steyning boss Kevin Green in the week building up to the game (listen here) and was part of the 1100 strong crowd with no segregation and no hint of trouble.
Maidstone shot into a two goal lead, their class showing. Steyning replied three minutes before half time, then the pivotal moment in that gap between the goal and the interval. A fingertip save from Stones keeper Lucas Covolan prevented a 2-2 scoreline, Maidstone going on to score early in the second half and late on, a sliding doors moment for what might have been.
Steyning went on to win the league and cup double and promotion to the Isthmian League, Maidstone caused the upset of the competition knocking out Premier League bound Ipswich Town before bowing out in round 5, little did I see either season panning out the way it did for both sides (watch the highlights here).
Dorking Wanderers 2-3 Barnet
I’m sure you all expected me to get a Bees game in here, this one for so many reasons. I’m good friends with both managers Marc White and Dean Brennan, both excellent people and great to bend the ear of.
The season before Dorking did the double and prior to that an FA Trophy covid win meant Marc had the Indian sign over Dean. I was on Bunch of Amateurs again before the game, collared by Rich Phippen. I indeed said the run had to end surely (listen here).
Cue 21 minutes in, Dorking were 2-0 up and only a block from Sam Beard stopped a certain third goal. The proverbial game of two halves arrived, Barnet storming back with three goals in 14 minutes to flip the game and take some the three points in front of the TNT Sport cameras, hoodoo ended in some style (see the comeback here).
Littlehampton Town 6-1 Bognor Regis
I’ve picked this one, a Sussex Senior Cup tie that pulled up a most unexpected scoreline. The hosts struggled to find any consistency through the season while the visitors were flying at the time and pushing for the play-offs.
Everything the Golds hit on target just seemed to find the net, the pick of the bunch from on loan Finley Chadwick with the opener while the Rocks just couldn’t get going, a rarity for them during the season.
Town however couldn’t get past Hastings Utd in the semi-final who in turn saw Horsham net three times to win the cup for the first time in 48 years.
Three Bridges 0-5 Chichester City
The penultimate pick is an all Sussex play off final. Stellar campaigns for both sides and neither expected to be in the top five let alone chasing the promotion prize. Bridges were there for the whole year, City on a fantastic run since Xmas saw them claim their spot.
What unfolded was a ruthless display from the visitors, in front after just 36 seconds they didn’t let the hosts get near them all game and rightly took their place in Step 3 for the first time ever.
A superb crowd of 1192 were there to witness the jubilant scenes at the end, hopefully a fair few return to watch both sides in the coming season.
Seaford Town 3-3 Wick (4-5 on pens)
The final choice is also a Sussex play off final. Having witnessed five goals the night before near Gatwick Airport it was down to the coast for a place in Step 5. An early Wick lead was cancelled out by three in return before half time.
Seemingly the hosts were heading comfortably into the Premier Division, but a mix up defensively allowed Wick back into the tie and a subsequent equaliser. Two penalty saves from Dragons keeper Keelan Belcher saw them promoted after seven years away from the top division in front of almost 1000 spectators.
